Farewell scenes are not my favorite.  I like the scenes where people are re-united, reconciled and happily catching up on the past!!  This passage in John 14 looks like a farewell scene common to many stories but this one is very different.  In this case the One departing is Jesus and He is not only preparing the disciples, He is preparing us to live in the power of the Spirit.  This wrap up in the Upper Room is not the end of the disciple's preparation but it does close out one section of His instruction.  The main thing He wants them to understand is that while He is leaving He is not really leaving!  He reminds the disciples that He will be even closer to them by the Holy Spirit than He was in the incarnate state.  It would take the disciples a while to grasp this concept but when they did, it transformed a group of "chickens" to some fearless soldiers of the cross.  Can you think of some of the blessings that we experience today because of the physical departure of Jesus to the glory of the Father??

The sermon this week (January 9, 2011 AM) is about what we really need.  What we think we really need is actually what we want and what we really need...we already have.  The text is John 14:19-26.  The disciples are concerned about Jesus' departure.  They are wondering how they will live without Him, they feel like orphans, they wonder about the work that they had been doing, they are sure they will miss the fellowship and closeness of their earthly walk with Him.  The reassuring words of Jesus, "I will not leave you orphans" must have been like a cool drink on a hot day!  The promises made to these disciples are promises for us as well.  How has the ministry of the Holy Spirit blessed you recently?